With all the UX training options out there, it can feel a bit like the wild west. Which certification, bootcamp or training program is going to deliver the highest return on investment? What’s the best way to instill a long-term UX mindset throughout my organization? We don’t have all the answers, but this series at least scratches the surface to help give you a lay of the land and ask the right questions so you can choose the option that’s best for you and your team.

When it comes to UX certifications and bootcamps, it seems there are new ones cropping up every day. 

Companies at lower levels on the [UX Maturity Scale](https://drawbackwards.com/blog/ux-maturity-leadership "UX Maturity Scale") increasingly want to see “official” qualifications that can certify the UX designers they hire went through some sort of rigorous formal training. 

Companies at the higher end of the maturity scale may be looking for advanced training programs that will help them integrate UX more fully throughout their organization.

Wherever you are on the maturity scale, you’re probably asking yourself, “Are these programs worth it?”

Let’s start with a basic truth: there is no industry-standard universally-accepted UX design certification.

That’s not to say there aren’t great certification programs and bootcamps out there, but it does make it harder to separate the wheat from the chaff.

That’s why we’ve put together a quick guide to help you understand the difference between certifications, bootcamps, and training programs so you can choose which one best fits your needs.

## UX Certifications

### Method or Format
Traditionally offered in-person, these are increasingly available as online courses through private companies or academic institutions. They usually end with an exam to test your knowledge of specific UX topics to then earn the certification.

### Who They’re Good For
New UX designers or career changers trying to break into the field with a basic certification, or experienced UX designers who want to distinguish themselves with an advanced-level certification.

### Advantages 
Certifications can establish credibility and open doors for job opportunities, especially for those who don’t already have a foothold in the field. [Some UX design leaders have predicted](https://www.uxbeginner.com/ux-certifications-guide/ "Some UX design leaders have predicted"), and increasingly called for, the establishment of a standard UX certification program to create consistency in the field and because they believe that government regulation will eventually require it (similar to other professions like attorneys, accountants, realtors, etc.)

### Disadvantages 
Without a clear industry-standard certification, it can be difficult to decide which one to invest in (and they can get expensive). Many focus on only one aspect of UX, which requires multiple programs and certifications and more money. Research analysis compiled from a [survey by Measuring U](https://measuringu.com/ux-cert/ "survey by Measuring U") suggests that (as of 2017) there was no real increase in salary for UX designers with certifications. That could all change, of course, but it’s still a bit of the wild west out there.

### How to Choose a UX Certification Program
It’s important to remember that a formal UX certification is not currently necessary to get into the field. There are plenty of great self-taught UX designers, researchers, and product strategists getting jobs every day. It may be best to wait until the industry decides on a standard certification before investing in a particular course. 

That said, there are some industry-leading safe bets that won’t be going anywhere soon:
[Nielsen Norman Group](https://www.nngroup.com/ux-certification/ "Nielsen Norman Group") runs probably the best-known certification program in the industry that claims to have certified more than 10,000 professionals from more than 500 organizations across six continents. These programs are traditionally tied to their in-person conferences, which have been held virtually because of the pandemic.

[Human Factors International](https://www.humanfactors.com/hfi-training/certification.asp "Human Factors International") offers two tracks, one for beginners and another for experienced professionals. They claim to have more than 8,000 Certified Usability Analysts (their beginner certification) around the world. You can get the certification simply by passing their CUA certification exam without any prep, but they offer four courses to give you the knowledge to pass the exam.

Universities offer the most expensive way to earn a “certification” through UX-focused degrees that are offered at increasingly more schools. These are great for new UX professionals but not as practical for those already in the working world.

## UX Bootcamps

### Method or Format
We separate bootcamps from certifications because they come in such a wide variety of styles, shapes, sizes and formats that it’s hard to lump them in with the best-known certification programs. They can be in-person or online, last a few days, weeks or even months, be self-paced or classroom-style, and cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to $10,000 or more.

### Who They’re Good For
Depending on the focus of the bootcamp, these can be good options for either new UX designers or experienced professionals who want an intensive hands-on experience that will quickly give you projects to add to your portfolio. Some bootcamps offer career counseling and job placement services as a sweetener, though the quality of these likely varies a lot. They’re probably best if you already have some UX design experience or an academic degree or certification, but want to dive deeper into a specific skillset.

### Advantages
Bootcamps are popular because they’re relatively quick and they focus on practical skills that give you a taste of what it’s really like to work on a UX-focused project from beginning to end. Many of them offer “certifications” that can look good on a resume, though as we discussed above, these are not likely to be universally recognized unless they’re well known in the industry. Some universities offer bootcamps as a quicker and less expensive way to get the prestige of a university name without the time and cost of a full degree.

### Disadvantages
With so many bootcamps out there, it can be difficult to choose the right one or to be confident the one you choose will be the best for your needs. While they’re great for getting a quick overview of topics or concepts and some hands-on experience, they’re designed to only last for a limited amount of time and often don’t offer the level of in-depth mentorship or training that can help reinforce concepts and make sure they stick. There is some doubt in the industry about how effectively bootcamps can lift you from a novice to job-ready UX professional.

### How to Choose a UX Bootcamp
The most important thing in choosing whether or not to do a bootcamp, and which one to choose, is to be clear about your goals. Do you want to learn specific skills, tools, or concepts? Do you need a general overview of the UX design thinking process? Of course, you’ll also want to make sure the organization offering the bootcamp is well-respected in the industry. 

Your best bets are to choose established organizations like [General Assembly](https://generalassemb.ly/ "General Assembly"), [DesignLab](https://trydesignlab.com/ "DesignLab"), [Springboard](https://www.springboard.com/ "Springboard") or [Interaction Design Foundation](https://www.interaction-design.org/ "Interaction Design Foundation") that have a long track record of offering high-quality bootcamps. There are many other options for those on a budget, but you’ll want to do your research to make sure they’re worth the time and effort based on your goals.

## UX Training Programs

### Method or Format
Formal UX training often comes in the form of custom-designed programs targeted to companies and teams who are looking to cover specific UX topics with a large group. They’re usually offered on-site at your company with several trainers who have designed a 2-3 day workshop or course based on the priorities of the company or team.

### Who They’re Good For
These are usually best for teams and organizations that are ready to make an investment in building UX practices and a design thinking mindset across the company. It’s rare to find custom UX training programs designed for individual UX professionals that don’t fit more into the certification and bootcamp categories above.

### Advantages
For organizations with the resources and time, UX training programs can efficiently get a large number of people up to speed on basic UX concepts or a little more in-depth on specific techniques and tools. The custom focus usually allows leaders to fine-tune the training and exercises to what they feel is most important for their teams. They can also be scheduled and planned around the needs of the business.

### Disadvantages
Like bootcamps, most UX training programs are designed to provide a quick overview in a short amount of time. They sometimes include mentorships, but often these are limited in scope and don’t last much beyond the initial training involvement. They can also be prohibitively expensive for smaller organizations or individuals and may not be cost-effective for teams that don’t already have an idea of the specific areas they need to develop.

### How to Choose a UX Training Program
Because of the customization and cost, a clear understanding of your goals is even more important when choosing a UX training program for your team or organization. That means you need to know where you and your team members stand today, have a prioritized list of topics or skills you want to focus on, and the time and resources to set aside for the training. Established organizations like [Nielsen Norman Group](https://www.nngroup.com/team-training/ "Nielsen Norman Group") offer on-site customized workshops. Some other organizations that offer individual online training give discounts for groups of three or more, which can be a good option for resource-limited organizations.

## Looking for a well-rounded UX training program? We can help.
Our approach to UX training takes a little of all these elements and puts them together into a customized approach designed for your specific needs.

Need a quick workshop or bootcamp to get your team (or yourself) up to speed on a specific tool or concept? Want a more robust thought-out training program that adjusts to your evolving skills, abilities and priorities over time? We can help.

Take a look at [our approach to UX training and mentorship](https://drawbackwards.com/how-to-work-with-us/advising-and-mentorship "our approach to UX training and mentorship") and then [let’s talk](https://drawbackwards.com/contact "let’s talk") about the type of training program that will help you get to the next level.


UX Training

UX Certifications and Bootcamps: Are they worth it?

There’s one thing above all that you need to get out of a great UX training program - the right UX mindset. 

User experience isn’t rocket science, but it does require a shift in thinking. You need three things to be a great design leader. First, you need to be well-versed in the [12 Competencies of UX Design](https://drawbackwards.com/blog/the-12-competencies-of-ux-design/ "the 12 Competencies of UX Design"). Second, you need to know how to balance your technical skills with your soft skills. And third, you need to cultivate a breadth of knowledge about a lot of UX design concepts while developing deep expertise in a few core disciplines.

No matter where your organization sits on the [UX Maturity Scale](https://drawbackwards.com/blog/ux-maturity-leadership/ "UX Maturity Scale"), there's always room for improvement. But it can be frustrating trying to find the right UX training to address your biggest weaknesses.

It's difficult to choose among the many UX certification and training programs out there. Free resources are often limited to surface-level how-to guides. Paid options can stretch budgets, especially for solo designers or organizations that are still not convinced of the [ROI of UX](https://drawbackwards.com/blog/how-to-calculate-the-roi-of-ux "ROI of UX"). 

Through a series of blog posts, we’ll be covering many different aspects of UX training. But there are four key elements that the best UX training programs all seem to have. These are the keys to look for in choosing a program that you can be confident will install the right UX mindset for long-term success. 

## The 4 Elements of a Great UX Training Program
We know you want to be a great design leader and to build your own talented and competent design team. These are the things to look for from any UX training or certification program that will help you do that.

### 1. Design Thinking Evangelism
Good UX design is not optional. It's critical to the success of your products and services. But if your company has never invested in good UX design practices, you're missing a lot of the tools you need to be successful.

The iterative process of design thinking gives you a way to tackle the problems you don't even know you have. It pushes you to challenge assumptions, take the time to understand users and create innovative solutions.

A great UX training program gives you a strong foundation in design thinking principles. It gives you the chance to practice those principles so they become second nature. It gives you the confidence to become an evangelist for design thinking in your day-to-day work.

### 2. Consistent Design Direction
One of the best ways to take your UX design work from good to great is to set a strong design direction and stick with it. Design systems allow your organization to establish that direction. They help create a consistent user experience by leveraging reusable components.

A great UX training program helps you understand how to create and manage a design system. It gives you tools to maintain the right balance of business objectives, user needs, and employee goals. And it helps you better manage projects and prioritize your resources all in service of creating a seamless user experience.

### 3. Design Mentorships
It’s one thing to learn what to do and how to think, and it’s another thing to put that thought into action. The best UX training programs involve some type of mentorship. Mentorships allow you to get feedback and critiques from experienced designers. They give you the chance to practice what you’ve learned under the guidance of someone who's been in your shoes.

Designers of all levels need feedback to grow, and they need to learn how to request and deliver that feedback. Mentorships give you practice in how to have those conversations. A good mentorship program teaches you how to accept constructive criticism, and helps you get rid of bad habits before they can take hold.

### 4. UX Audits and Design Reviews
A great product needs great execution all the way from the design to the code. That's why a great UX training program needs to ensure you’re using best practices.

You want mentors to engage with your practice. You want mentors who will review and audit your work to point out areas for improvement. You want mentors who will help you find the path to a product both you and your users will love.

## Looking for a UX Training Program? We Can Help
Our senior design leaders have trained and mentored individuals and teams. We first establish a foundation by assessing where you are right now, then we focus on areas you want to improve. Finally, we build a custom curriculum and mentorship program around your needs.

Read more about [our UX training and mentorship approach](https://drawbackwards.com/how-to-work-with-us/advising-and-mentorship "our UX training and mentorship approach"). Then [start a conversation](https://drawbackwards.com/contact "start a conversation") to see how we can work together to take your UX design skills to the next level.


The best UX training builds a long-term UX mindset

Companies are learning that to get great results from their products and services they have to invest in UX training. [Training that builds a long-term UX mindset](https://drawbackwards.com/blog/uxtraining-long-term-UX-mindset "Training that builds a long-term UX mindset") pays off in better and faster results that last over time.

But if you’re a design leader looking to build your internal UX team, where do you start with training?

Team training courses are often offered as one or two-day workshops. These are great for a general overview or kick-off, but what happens after the workshop is over? How do you ensure your team is putting those principles into practice? How can you measure their progress over time?

## Step 1: Start with a team UX assessment
It's important in any profession to track where you are so you can measure your progress over time. This is especially important when it comes to building and managing a UX team.

Technology is always evolving, as are the skills needed to keep up with it. What doesn’t change are the [12 competencies of UX desig](https://drawbackwards.com/blog/the-12-competencies-of-ux-design "12 competencies of UX design")n. To build a strong UX team, you want to be confident your team is sound in these fundamentals. And you want to have a plan for constant improvement in the areas where your team members need the most help.

When we create a training program for clients at Drawbackwards, we start with a thorough assessment. It measures each member of the team’s existing capabilities in all 12 core competencies.

First, we have a team leader or mentor complete an assessment for each individual team member. They rate each person based on where they are today in each core competency. Then, they rate how much they think each person needs to improve in those areas.

We then compare these numbers with a self-assessment taken by each team member. The self-assessment asks each person to tell us their level of interest in developing each core competency.
We then combine the scores into a composite “potential” score for each team member. These scores give us a prioritized list of the competencies that are most important to each individual and across the entire team. From there, we can create a custom training and mentorship program and we can measure future progress and growth from these baselines.

## Step 2: Conduct team UX audits and design reviews
There’s a reason sports teams spend a lot of time in film reviews of their games and practices. Experience is the best teacher. Taking time to analyze your experiences helps those lessons settle in deeper.

We conduct UX audits and design reviews as a regular service for clients. But we also use these in our training. We like to pull teams together to audit and review their own work as a group.

This helps them develop a shared understanding of how they can improve as a team. It also helps each individual see how their personal growth contributes to the bigger picture.

## Step 3: Measure your progress and iterate
You want your team members to invest in their own development into UX design leaders. The key to that is showing them how they’re progressing and motivating them to build on their successes.

We do this by re-assessing team members based on their initial “potential” score and setting new goals based on their progress. It’s up to the team and the individuals to determine where they need to focus their efforts.

We like to offer teams a series of potential topics at each review point so they can make their top choices based on where they are today. At the same time, we use the insights gained from UX audits and design reviews to call out practical skills they need to refine.

This gives us the opportunity to help teams identify the soft skills that will help them become effective UX evangelists for their organizations, while not losing sight of the technical skills needed to get the job done.

## Looking to build a highly effective UX team but don’t know where to start?
It can be tough to figure out how to efficiently build the competency and skills your internal UX team needs, especially if you’ve never done it before. We have the expertise and training experience to show you the way.

Carving out UX team roles and responsibilities is often the first task managers and leaders try to tackle in a hectic and fast-paced environment. But how can you do that if you haven’t first assessed your team’s UX skills to know their strengths and weaknesses?

We’ve helped UX teams gain the skills they need while continuing to create successful products. Take a look at [our approach to training and mentorship](https://drawbackwards.com/how-to-work-with-us/advising-and-mentorship "our approach to training and mentorship") and let’s talk about how we can help you build a team of UX design leaders that will guide you and your company to long-term success.


UX Training: How to set your UX team up for success

UX audits and design reviews can be difficult to do well, but they’re a key part of an effective UX mentorship program.

We’ve talked about what goes into an [effective UX training program](https://drawbackwards.com/blog/uxtraining-long-term-UX-mindset "effective UX training program"), how to approach [UX training for teams](https://drawbackwards.com/blog/uxtraining-set-up-for-success "UX training for teams"), and the difference between [certifications, bootcamps and training](https://drawbackwards.com/blog/uxtraining-certifications-and-bootcamps "certifications, bootcamps and training"). 

Now let’s talk about what is arguably the most important part of any UX skills development program - UX mentorship.

Mentorship can be a hard concept to define in practical terms. 

Some mentorships are one-off experiences, often sold as part of a bootcamp, workshop or certification program to help you find a job or internship. 

Others are long-term engagements with consistent meetings that grow the relationship between mentor and mentee over time.

At Drawbackwards, we’re biased toward the latter. We believe that the value you get out of a mentorship comes from learning and growing together over the long haul. That’s why we’ve deliberately based our UX training on a mentor-mentee model.

When we offer training to clients, our UX design leaders serve as mentors who are committed to providing tangible insights and guidance based on the development of their mentees.

That’s where UX audits and design reviews come in.

## UX product audits help identify areas for improvement.

One of the greatest benefits a mentor can provide is the expertise and experience to spot areas that the mentee doesn’t know are potential trouble spots. 

We do most of our training with individuals and teams who have been working on products and services for some time but are unsure of how user friendly the overall experience is. 

UX and product audits allow us to evaluate not only what the product or service needs to boost its user experience, but the skills and competencies that the individual or team needs to develop. 

The other advantage of an audit is it gives our mentors a real-world case study or example within which to root their recommendations and advice. It’s one thing to talk about a UX competency or skill in theory and a completely different thing to be able to point to a tangible example. 

By starting with the product, we’re able to put our training and analysis into context and help clients see what they’ve been missing in their own work.

## Design reviews reinforce best practices.

Our design reviews serve a similar purpose to UX product audits, but the difference is in the timing. Mentorship in its most basic form is a constant conversation over time. Design reviews give us a way to structure that conversation with our mentees.

These are recurring conversations that take place as we introduce concepts or ideas, conduct training programs, or work on skills development. We review the design or code that the mentee puts together and offer insights and recommendations that make sure the product is built from top to bottom with best practices.

When working with whole teams, we find that design and code reviews are an effective way to get everybody on the same page through a group conversation. Our mentors come in at key points of the product life cycle to review the design or code with fresh eyes and help the team see things they may have missed.

We bake design reviews into our training programs because they offer opportunities to regularly reinforce concepts in a practical setting and further build on the skills that teams and individuals are trying to develop.

This holds our mentees accountable and allows us to make sure the training is effective and taking hold. If a problem is recurring in the design or code, we know we need to take a different approach in our training to help fix it.

## Looking for a UX design mentor? We have a few of those.

Our UX training programs are built around a mentorship model because we know the value of building trust over time far outweighs the perceived cost savings of a quick workshop or one-day training program.

Our mentorships not only reinforce the concepts and skills you want to embed in your teams, but they also give mentees the confidence to try new things and push beyond their comfort zones. This helps create true UX design leaders that will be influencers in your team and across your organization for years to come.

If you’re looking for a few good mentors to take you or your team’s skills to the next level, [start a conversation with us](https://drawbackwards.com/contact "start a conversation with us") about your goals and aspirations.


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UX Training

The best UX training builds a long-term UX mindset

UX Training: How to set your UX team up for success

UX Certifications and Bootcamps: Are they worth it?

UX Mentorship: The role of UX audits and design reviews

UX Training

The best UX training builds a long-term UX mindset

UX Training: How to set your UX team up for success

UX Certifications and Bootcamps: Are they worth it?

UX Mentorship: The role of UX audits and design reviews

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